Movie Reviews

Reviewed by melkereriksson-923459 / 10 / 10

Joe Cole - Amazing

A Prayer Before Dawn touches upon almost every grand subject of life. Love, lust, hate, deep anxiety and the willingness to survive. Even though he does is with minimal dialogue, Joe Cole's performance is one of the greatest I've ever seen. So raw. So full of energy and all different kinds of emotions. This film was a proper hit to the gut. Punt intended. Bravo.

Reviewed by moviefest-907579 / 10 / 10

Joe Cole Is Ferocious In The Brutal Biopic 'A Prayer Before Dawn!'

Joe Cole gives a ferocious performance in this relentlessly intimidating crime/biopic based on an english boxer (Billy Moore) who gets incarcerated in Thailand's most notorious prison, the "Bangkok Hilton."
This is visceral and often unwatchably brutal stuff. At times watching it felt pretty much like getting a knife to the gut, especially in one unbearable scene that I don't want to spoil, plus it's a bit to graphic to explain. The director also opts for no subtitles, so unless you speak thai, it instantly gives you a claustrophobic feeling, thus putting us right inside the prison house of Billy's mind. Don't let that deter you as there is dialogue, and what it lacks in, Joe Cole makes up for with a sensational display as he captures his character's relentless aggression and the low cunning he needs to survive whilst also showing us Billy's humanity and very occasional moments of vulnerability. It was 100% method-style madness, so kudos to Joe Cole for a Performance I really can't commend enough.
The fight scenes were well shot and included some awesome knockouts that seemed completely real, especially the first fight he has in prison, wow! The tattoo-covered convicts are terryfying and all sensational supporting actors.
All in all, amateur director Jean-Stephane Sauvaire has masterfully crafted a brutal biopic that packs one hell of a poetic punch! Must see! Check us out on Instagram @MovieFest

Reviewed by jon-226439 / 10 / 10

You haven't seen such a movie...

It's not a typical movie... it's a slow, realistic, painful movie, about what happens inside a Thai prison, which is basically hell, Don't expect to see an action movie, it is not, and do expect to see some horrible and disturbing sites. It's important to anyone to see this movie, as it also has educational value. The Thai boxing is just a minor part of the movie, and a tool to show how far a man is willing to go, how much suffer, to get a redemption, and fight his inside demons. Amazing camera work, and the acting of all actors especially the Thai prisoners (most participant are not actors at all) is fabulous. It looks so real you almost forget it's a movie and not a real life documentary. The leading actor in this movie is a brave guy to take such a hard role, which required a lot of practice and preparations. I highly recommend you watch it, some scenes in this movie you will never forget.